West Indian cane weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) : A new pest of sugarcane in Florida

The West Indian cane weevil, Metamasius hemipterus (L.), was first discovered in the United States in Homestead, FL, in 1984. Ten years later it was found infesting sugarcane in Belle Glade, and a subsequent survey indicated the pest was widely distributed throughout Florida where sugarcane is produ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of economic entomology 1997-04, Vol.90 (2), p.634-638
Main Authors: SOSA, O. JR, SHINE, J. M, TAI, P. Y. P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Curculionidae
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Metamasius hemipterus
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
Protozoa. Invertebrates
Records, symptoms, damages, economic importance, population surveys
Saccharum
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Summary:The West Indian cane weevil, Metamasius hemipterus (L.), was first discovered in the United States in Homestead, FL, in 1984. Ten years later it was found infesting sugarcane in Belle Glade, and a subsequent survey indicated the pest was widely distributed throughout Florida where sugarcane is produced. Infestation levels ranging from 8 to 32% of the stalks of 'CP 85-1382' were found at 3 farms. The larval stage was the most frequently encountered (89%) growth stage, with an overall mean of approximately 2 larvae per stalk. There were significant differences of most yield components between infested and uninfested stalks. A 32% stalk infestation at one farm caused an estimated loss of $402.40/ha. Based on infestation levels, distribution in Florida, and losses observed, this pest is important and should be monitored closely. Little or no infestation was detected in other cultivars growing next to CP 85-1382. Thus, host plant resistance may be an important strategy for management of this pest.
ISSN:0022-0493
1938-291X
DOI:10.1093/jee/90.2.634